Bethany McIlrath

First and Second: Perspective On What Matters Most (Matthew 22:36-40)

Tag: faith

  • When It’s Not Over

    When It’s Not Over

    “The end,” the story says. Script writers know that to successfully complete a TV series or movie, you must wrap up the loose ends. At the end of a person’s life, there is a service to conclude their time on earth. When you get sick, one of the first questions you ask the doctor is…

  • Conquering by Force

    Conquering by Force

    Can you think of a victory in a game, a sport, or even a war that is owed to more to blunt force than to strategy? The weapons used, the position of troops, and the element of surprise are all vital to winning. Underdog teams win by crafty plans and perseverance, not force. Naturally, victories won…

  • 3 Ways to Swap for Better Comparisons

    3 Ways to Swap for Better Comparisons

    Like it or not, life is made up of comparisons. We compare our food choices in order to make an informed decision about what we eat. Our employers compare our work to industry standards to help us succeed. God in His Word compares the things of the flesh with the things of the Spirit to…

  • Faith Lessons from Video Games

    Faith Lessons from Video Games

    Video game extraordinaire I am not. Recently, my husband was delayed in joining a video game online with a friend- so I thought I’d be funny and hop on for him. I knew they could make their characters dance and wave silly, so that was my plan. Trouble is- I didn’t know how to do…

  • God-sized Dreams Never Die

    God-sized Dreams Never Die

    Someone tell me I’m not the only one! There are moments where the thought that I could die anytime at all strikes me silly. I’m not worried about where I’m going. I believe God’s Word in 2 Timothy 4:18- He will deliver me safely into His Kingdom. I know my loved ones and that they’d…

  • Favorites of 2017

    Favorites of 2017

    Fiercehearted by Holley Gerth None Like Him by Jen Wilkin The Mortification of Sin by John Owen Joni: An Unforgettable Story by Joni Eareckson Tada Anchored In By Micah Maddox I shared about 14 blog posts that have impacted and stuck with me this year in a separate post. They are listed as nominations for…

  • O Come All Ye Frustrated

    O Come All Ye Frustrated

    In just a few weeks, someone or other will ask us: “how was your Christmas?” Chances are our answers won’t include words like “perfect” or “flawless.” It’s just a fact that Christmas celebrations tend to carry with them mistakes and messes. Something unexpected happens. Some gifts don’t arrive on time. Someone isn’t satisfied. The first…

  • Her Utmost for His Highest

    Her Utmost for His Highest

    The greenish book seemed odd to me as I quickly paged through. “Thank you,” I murmured with confusion as the older woman patted my hand and said she’d be praying. I was off to the mission field, and she’d given me a copy of Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest. She didn’t know it,…

  • Shutting Down Over-Productivity

    Shutting Down Over-Productivity

    Lord knows I’m a planner and producer. Productivity could be my middle name. I’ve got files and folders physical and digital stretching my future hopes into step-by-step endeavors. If you’ve got a topic to talk about, I’ve got a project you’re contributing to. The most visited destination in my mind is my idea mill. It’s…

  • It’s Not Me, It’s You (And That’s Okay)

    It’s Not Me, It’s You (And That’s Okay)

    “It’s not me, it’s you….” The bad breakup line always seemed so unfair. It’s been my habit to live life assuming there’s always something I can do…some level of responsibility I have to take if I’m truly loving. But over the years, I’ve met the people-pleasers dilemma: some people aren’t pleasable. Living this truth has…